Manila: The Philippines is on a promising path toward achieving its food security objectives, as evidenced by sustained growth in the agriculture and fisheries sector during the third quarter, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Friday. The positive trend highlights the sector's resilience and potential for further development.

According to Philippines News Agency, recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicated a 2.8 percent year-on-year growth in the agri-fishery sector, translating to PHP408.94 billion, compared to PHP397.914 billion in the same period last year. This growth is attributed to both government initiatives and favorable weather conditions, as noted by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

In a statement, Tiu Laurel expressed optimism, stating, "Clearly, we are heading in the right direction. Every quarter, we are seeing improvement, so we must be doing something right." He emphasized the role of favorable weather in supporting the sector's progress this year.

The primary driver of this growth was an increase in crop production, which saw a 3 percent rise, amounting to PHP218 billion. Notably, palay (unhusked rice) output surged by nearly 13 percent, significantly contributing to the overall growth. However, corn production experienced a slight decline of 2.9 percent.

In addition to crops, the poultry sector demonstrated a recovery with a 10.6 percent increase, resulting in a valuation of PHP75.96 billion. Despite these positive developments, Tiu Laurel acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by the livestock sector, primarily due to the effects of African swine fever (ASF), as well as difficulties in the fisheries sector.

The livestock sector experienced a 1.9 percent decrease in production, valued at PHP60.51 billion, while the fisheries sector recorded a decline of 2.7 percent, amounting to PHP54.47 billion. These challenges underscore the need for continuous efforts to strengthen and support these critical areas of the agri-fishery sector.